PCCOA joins Meals on Wheels programs across nation in 16th annual March for Meals Celebration

Support helps to fight senior hunger and isolation in Preble County

By Holly Steele - For The Register-Herald

Pictured are some of the “Big Wheels” who served during the 2017 event.

EATON — Preble County Council on Aging (PCCOA) will be participating in the 16th Annual March for Meals – a month-long, community-by-community celebration of Meals on Wheels and the vulnerable seniors who rely on the vital service to remain independent at home. PCCOA’s celebration will include various activities throughout the month of March, including Big Wheels deliver meals week, March 19-23. During this Big Wheels week, members from the community ride along with our Home Delivered Meals drivers to help deliver hot nutritious meals to seniors.

“The services that we provide the seniors of Preble County are critical and the need is rapidly increasing,” said Shelley Ratliff, Executive Director of PCCOA. “Together, we can keep seniors living independently, healthier at home and feeling more connected to their community as they age.”

The annual March for Meals commemorates the historic day in March 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 and established a National Nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. Since 2002, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country have joined forces for the annual awareness campaign to celebrate this successful public-private partnership and garner the support needed to fill the gap between the seniors served and those still in need.

“This March, hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs will rally their communities to build the support that will enable them to deliver nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to America’s most at-risk seniors all year long,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “With the demand for Meals on Wheels increasing along with our country’s senior population, we need to ensure that seniors are not forgotten.”

PCCOA delivers approximately 134 meals a day to seniors throughout Preble County. We make each nutritious meal fresh every morning, and the meals are delivered hot to them for lunch. In addition to delivering a hot meal, our drivers help with small tasks, such as bringing in mail or taking out the trash, as well as a general wellness check and a friendly visit. “In 2017, we delivered 29,733 home delivered meals (HDM). We are excited to be a part of the National March for Meals Campaign,” said Ashley Workman, In-Home Services Manager.

To help ensure that Preble County seniors are not forgotten, we have a Sponsor-A-Senior Program. This program helps to eliminate senior hunger in Preble County, and allows us to feed the 40-plus seniors that are currently on our waiting list for meals on wheels. According to Meals on Wheels America, “A senior who receives daily-delivered meals experiences the greatest improvements in health and quality of life compared to a senior who receives, weekly delivered meals or no meals at all.” Plus, “A senior who lives alone and receives daily-delivered meals is less likely to worry about being able to remain at home and to have feelings of isolation and loneliness.” You can sponsor-a-senior for as little as $50.00 per month, or $600.00 per year. If you are interested in participating in this program, call Shelley at 937-456-4947. For general information about what all we offer stop by or call.

To stay up to date on all of our activities, trips and senior news sign up to receive our bi-monthly newsletter the “Senior Scene.” Membership at the Senior Center is $10 a year. In addition to other benefits, members automatically receive our bi-monthly “Senior Scene” newsletter which features all our latest news and activities, additional benefits are discounts on trips and select activities. Like our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/preblecountycouncilonaging/ or give us a call at 937-456-4947. Visit our website at www.PrebleSeniorCenter.org.

Pictured are some of the “Big Wheels” who served during the 2017 event.

https://www.registerherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2018/02/web1_Big-Wheels-Week-20172018218131129312.jpgPictured are some of the “Big Wheels” who served during the 2017 event.